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2003-11-19 - Appearance Review Team - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑Appearance Review Team Document Type: ❑Agenda 0 Minutes Meeting Date: 11/19/2003 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting Appearance Review Team (ART) Meeting 6:30 p.m., 11/19/2003. 1248 McHenry Road / 1250 Arlington Heights Road, ExxonMobil Property Petitioner: Wendy Kenny, WD Partners- Proposed Fuel Station, Convenience Store, & Car Wash ART TEAM: Steve Trilling, Trustee Liaison to the Plan Commission Lester Ottenheimer, Plan Commission Chair Michael Samuels, Plan Commissioner Robert Pfeil, Village Planner Greg Summers, Associate Planner ALSO PRESENT: Wendy Kenny, WD Partners Alex Williams, ExxonMobil Daniel O'Connell, Trammell Crow CC: Jeff Berman, Trustee Liaison to the Plan Commission Plan Commission SUBJECT SITE 1248 McHenry Road /1250 Arlington Heights Road (NEC Route 83 &Arlington Heights Road) PETITIONER REQUEST Petitioner Wendy Kenny, WD Partners (on behalf of ExxonMobil), is seeking to consolidate the 1248 McHenry and 1250 Arlington Heights Road sites, rezoning of the 1250 site to the B-3 District, and approval of a preliminary plan in the B-3 District. The plan proposes the removal of the current buildings, canopy, fuel pumps, and appurtenances, and construction of a new fuel facility including a 3,900 sq., ft. convenience store, canopy, 8 fuel pumps, car wash, and appurtenances. ART RECOMMENDATION / NOTES Ms. Kenny stated that the proportion of brick will be increased, with a resulting reduction in the proportion of E.I.F.S. to accommodate the 25% limitation contained in article V.C.2. of the Appearance Plan. The ART suggested one solution would be to use brick 213 of the way up the building walls, then a cap material, and then an E.I.F.S. band . Ms. Kenny stated that the proposed building material is "cement brick" and that it will not produce an industrial look. A picture of a "cement brick" single family home was distributed as a sample. ART members commented that the home in the picture had more wall articulation than the proposed fuel facilities and that the material still looked very industrial. The fuel facility buildings should not look commercial/industrial because it is a major, visible intersection which marks an entrance to the community . The ART agreed that the "cement brick"material is not as attractive as a "regular"clay brick . The Village is trying to avoid the look of the Shell/McDonalds building across the street. Mr. Williams stated that the roof is sloped so that the building has a residential, rather than industrial, look. The Village does not want a "prototype" building. The petitioner should add some details and articulation through the use of limestone sills, headers, and/or brick quoining. Additionally, the ART suggested the petitioner work to reduce the number of colors in the proposal. It was noted that the proposal trended to pink brick with a green-tint roof and red, blue, and yellow signage. Mr. Williams suggested the next submittal would propose a flat face brick in an earthtone color and a black roof material. A comment was made that a tan or brown roof could also be appropriate. The ART Team explained that the Village was trying to gain some reasonable measure of control over "corporate colors" as a basic step in upgrading and enhancing the appearance of properties. Mr. Williams stated that they are trying to blend Exxon and Mobil colors. It was suggested that the use of the yellow background for the On The Run"signage be reduced or eliminated. Signage should not detract from the overall appearance of the building. Muted colors and reduced size signage were suggested as a way to balance the business need to advertise with the community aesthetics. Mr. Williams noted that the signs are contract items which are costly to modify and he inquired what the Village's concerns were aside from colors. Roof signage should be reduced or eliminated and instead the signs should be located on the fascia area. Additionally, the gas price sign should be lower than 20 feet and proposed sign code variations need to be documented. Mr. Williams noted that the blue fascia areas of the fuel island canopy would be internally illuminated. The ART informed the petitioner that if the canopy fascia is illuminated it would be considered a sign because the intent of the illumination would be to draw attention to the business. The north and east sides of the canopy do not face rights-of-way so a variation would be required. It would also be a variation if more than 1/3 the length of the canopy is lighted. Mr. Williams stated they could do without the illumination if the necessary variations are denied. The ART also inquired why the "entrance" and "exit" signs above the car wash doors need to have a blue background and white letters. Matching the background to the aluminum of the garage doors with either white or blue lettering was suggested. As an alternate, the signage panel could be painted the color of the service doors and have blue letters mounted on it. Mr. Williams again stated that modifying the stock signs is cost prohibitive. WD Partners will prepare revised drawings for another ART meeting prior to their public hearing at the Plan Commission. Mr. Williams stated he would also send photos of other recently completed ExxonMobil facilities to the Village via e-mail.